Apparatus and method for connecting wireless sensor

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for connecting a wireless sensor may include a charging battery which is self-powered, a measurement sensor configured for performing wireless communication and receive power from the charging battery, and a vehicle controller configured to be connected to the measurement sensor through wireless communication and receive measured data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/188,831, filed Nov. 13, 2018, which claims priority to KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2018-0033394 filed Mar. 22, 2018, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein for all purposes by thesereferences.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a wireless sensor connection technique.More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and amethod for connecting a wireless sensor disposed at an engine of anengine compartment and controlling the engine through the connectedwireless sensor.

Description of Related Art

All sensors disposed in an engine compartment are connected to an enginecontrol unit (ECU) through lots of wires and connectors. The ECUprocesses input information to control an engine.

However, following the trends of engine downsizing and/or development ofa high performance vehicle, electric components for controlling anengine are being added. Furthermore, owing to addition of electriccomponents for the development of a control technique and an increase ofwires, deterioration in environmental condition of an engine compartmentis ongoing.

Furthermore, there is a limitation on a specific network constructionfor use in a harsh environmental condition such as an enginecompartment.

Moreover, transmission data is transmitted by being modulated through amotor control unit (MCU), and thus it is difficult to utilize an ECUlogic.

The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section isonly for enhancement of understanding of the general background of theinvention and may not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form ofsuggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to aperson skilled in the art.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various aspects of the present invention are directed to providing anapparatus and a method for connecting a wireless sensor, which areconfigured for constructing a wireless sensor network system in anengine compartment to allow the wireless sensor network system to beusable even under a harsh environmental condition.

Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention isdirected to an apparatus and a method for connecting a wireless sensor,which are configured for transmitting a detected value to a value whichis being received by an engine control unit (ECU) to allow an existinglogic of the ECU to be utilized.

Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention isdirected to an apparatus and a method for connecting a wireless sensor,which are configured for constructing a complete wireless sensor networkby removing a wire of a battery from a wireless sensor.

Moreover, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is directedto an apparatus and a method for connecting a wireless sensor, which areconfigured for specifying a vehicle operation logic when a communicationerror is caused by hardware (H/W) and communication disturbance duringtransmission wireless data.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention may be understoodby the following description and become apparent with reference to theexemplary embodiments of the present invention. Also, it is obvious tothose skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains thatthe objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized bythe means as claimed and combinations thereof.

Provided herein are an apparatus and a method for connecting a wirelesssensor, which are configured for constructing a wireless sensor networksystem in an engine compartment to allow the wireless sensor networksystem to be usable even under a harsh environmental condition.

In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, an apparatus configured for connecting a wireless sensor mayinclude a charging battery which is self-powered, a measurement sensorconfigured for performing wireless communication and receive power fromthe charging battery, and a vehicle controller configured to beconnected to the measurement sensor through wireless communication andreceive measured data.

The apparatus may further include a power converter configured toperform self-charging to charge the charging battery.

The power converter may be a piezoelectric element using vibrationgenerated during engine starting or may be a thermoelectric elementusing thermal energy generated during the engine starting.

The measurement sensor may include a wireless transmission circuit.

The power converter, the wireless transmission circuit, and the chargingbattery may be directly connected to a measurement sensor body.

Alternatively, the power converter, the wireless transmission circuit,and the charging battery may be connected to a measurement sensor bodythrough wires.

The wireless transmission circuit may receive an assignedidentification.

The measurement sensor may have a vent hole for robustness againsthumidity.

The vehicle controller may maintain a continuous repairing attempt withrespect to the measurement sensor and may store counting information onthe number of times of the repairing attempt in a memory.

When an error does not occur in the measured data, the vehiclecontroller may store a failure code for a measurement target componentof a vehicle in the memory.

In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, a method for connecting a wireless sensor may includeperforming self-charging on a charging battery, allowing a measurementsensor, which is configured for performing wireless communication, toreceive power from the charging battery, and connecting a vehiclecontroller to the measurement sensor through wireless communication andreceiving, by the vehicle controller, measured data.

The performing of the self-charging may include performing self-chargingby a power converter and charging the charging battery.

The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other featuresand advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in moredetail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, andthe following Detailed Description, which together serve to explaincertain principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a configurational block diagram of a wireless sensorconnection apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of transmission of detected dataaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a detailed configuration example of a measurement sensoraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a detailed configuration example of a measurement sensoraccording to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for describing a control process of communicationrestoration when a communication error occurs according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing a control process of communicationrestoration when a communication error occurs according to variousexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

It may be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily toscale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of variousfeatures illustrative of the basic principles of the present invention.The specific design features of the present invention as includedherein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations,locations, and shapes will be determined in part by the particularlyintended application and use environment.

In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent partsof the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of thepresent invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and described below. While the presentinvention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodimentsof the present invention, it will be understood that the presentdescription is not intended to limit the present invention(s) to thoseexemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present invention(s)is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, but also various alternatives, modifications,equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within thespirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

The present invention may be modified into various forms and may have avariety of embodiments, and, therefore, specific embodiments will beillustrated in the drawings and described in detail. The embodiments,however, are not to be taken in a sense which limits the presentinvention to the specific embodiments, and may be construed to includemodifications, equivalents, or substitutes within the spirit andtechnical scope of the present invention.

In describing each drawing, similar reference numerals are assignedsimilar components. Although the terms “first,” “second,” and the likemay be used herein to describe various components, these componentsshould not be limited by these terms. The terms are used only for thepurpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention,a first component may be referred to as a second component, andsimilarly, a second component may also be referred to as a firstcomponent. The term “and/or” includes a combination of a plurality ofrelated listed items or any item of the plurality of related listeditems.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical or scientificterms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by thoseskilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

General terms that are defined in a dictionary shall be construed tohave meanings that are consistent in the context of the relevant art andshould not be interpreted as having an idealistic or excessivelyformalistic meaning unless clearly defined in the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, an apparatus and a method for connecting a wireless sensoraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configurational block diagram of a wireless sensorconnection apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the wireless sensor connectionapparatus 100 may include a charging battery 110 configured to beself-charged, a measurement sensor 120 configured to receive power fromthe charging battery 110, a vehicle controller 130 configured to receivemeasured data from the measurement sensor 120, and a control system 140configured to perform control under the control of the vehiclecontroller 130.

The charging battery 110 is a chargeable secondary cell. The chargingbattery 110 may be a nickel metal battery cell, a lithium ion batterycell, a lithium polymer battery cell, a solid state battery cell, or thelike.

The measurement sensor 120 receives power from the charging battery 110,performs measurement by being disposed at an engine compartment of avehicle, generates measured data. Examples of installation positions ofthe measurement sensor 120 may include an intake system, a cylinderhead, a cylinder block, an exhaust system, a transmission, and the like.An air temperature sensor (ATS), a manifold absolute pressure (MAP)sensor, a barometric pressure sensor (BPS), and the like are disposed atthe intake system, a camp shaft position (CMP) sensor, a watertemperature sensor (WTS), and the like are disposed at the cylinderhead, an oil pressure sensor (OPS), an oil level sensor (OLS), and thelike are disposed at the cylinder block, and an oxygen sensor, anexhaust gas temperature sensor, and the like are disposed at the exhaustsystem. Alternatively, the measurement sensor 120 may be disposed insideor outside the vehicle in addition to the engine compartment.

A wireless transmission circuit 121 may be configured at the measurementsensor 120 to transmit measured data to the vehicle controller 130. Thewireless transmission circuit 121 receives an assigned identification.That is, a plurality of measurement sensors 120 may be formed, andidentification may be added to measured data which is generated andtransmitted from each of the plurality of measurement sensors 120 todistinguish the measured data.

The vehicle controller 130 analyzes the measured data transmitted fromthe measurement sensor 120 and performs control corresponding to theanalysis result. Accordingly, a wireless reception circuit 131 is alsoconfigured at the vehicle controller 130, and a microprocessor and amemory 150 are configured to store and process the measured data. Thememory 150 may store a program and data which analyze the measured dataand control corresponding vehicle parts according to the analysisresult.

The memory 150 may be a memory provided in the vehicle controller 130 ormay be a separate memory. Accordingly, the memory 150 may include atleast one type of storage medium from among a flash type memory, a harddisk type memory, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card typememory (e.g., a secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD) memory), arandom access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a readonly memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read onlymemory (EEPROM), a programmable read only memory (PROM), a magneticmemory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory 150 may beoperated in association with a web storage or a cloud server whichperforms a storage function of a storage portion on the Internet.

The control system 140 controls corresponding components disposed at thevehicle under the control of the vehicle controller 130. Examples of thecontrol system 140 may include a hydraulic actuator, an electronicactuator, a drive circuit, and the like. Furthermore, examples of thecorresponding components may include an engine 160 and a lamp 170.

Examples of the engine 160 may include a continuous variable valvetiming (CVVT) engine, a double over head camshaft (DOHC) engine, acontinuous valve timing (CAT) engine, a gasoline direct injection (GAI)engine, and a multi-point injection (MPI) engine, each of which utilizesgasoline as fuel, a common rail direct injection (CRDI) engine, a highdirection turbo intercooler (HTI) engine, and a variable geometryturbocharge (VGT) engine, each of which utilizes diesel as fuel, and aliquid propane injection (LPI) engine using gas as a fuel.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of transmission of detected dataaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referringto FIG. 2, first to third measurement sensors 201, 202, and 203 areconfigured, and first to third wireless transmission circuits 221, 222,and 223 are respectively configured at the first to third measurementsensors 201, 202, and 203. The first wireless transmission circuit 221is configured at the first measurement sensor 201, the second wirelesstransmission circuit 222 is configured at the second measurement sensor202, and the third wireless transmission circuit 223 is configured atthe third measurement sensor 203. Accordingly, when measured data ‘A’DATA, ‘B’ DATA, and ‘C’ DATA generated by the first to third measurementsensors 201, 202, and 203 are transmitted to the first to third wirelesstransmission circuits 221, 222, and 223, the first to third wirelesstransmission circuits 221, 222, and 223 transmit data packets ‘ID1’DATA, ‘ID2’ DATA, and ‘ID3’ DATA to which identifications (IDs) ‘ID1,’‘ID2,’ and ‘ID3’ of the first to third wireless transmission circuits221, 222, and 223 to the wireless reception circuit 131.

The vehicle controller 130 processes the data packets ‘ID1’ DATA, ‘ID2’DATA, and ‘ID3’ DATA by matching the data packets ‘ID1’ DATA, ‘ID2’DATA, and ‘ID3’ DATA to existing measured data ‘A’ DATA, ‘B’ DATA, and‘C’ DATA. Accordingly, the vehicle controller 130 may distinguishdetected values generated by the first to third measurement sensors 201,202, and 203 through the IDs assigned to the first to third wirelesstransmission circuits 221, 222, and 223 of the first to thirdmeasurement sensors 201, 202, and 203 and may use current control databy matching data of ID values, which are wirelessly transmitted, tosensor data of existing logics.

FIG. 3 is a detailed configuration example of the measurement sensor 120according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referringto FIG. 3, a power converter 320, the wireless transmission circuit 121,and a small-sized charging battery 330 are directly connected to ameasurement sensor body 310. The power converter 320 may be apiezoelectric element configured to generate power using vibrationgenerated during engine starting. Alternatively, the power converter 320may be a thermoelectric element configured to generate power usingthermal energy generated during engine starting.

The power converter 320 may be self-powered by mounting thereon apiezoelectric energy harvesting device and a thermoelectric energyharvesting device. The piezoelectric energy harvesting device convertskinetic energy (e.g., vibration) generated at various positions of theengine into electric energy. The thermoelectric energy harvesting deviceconverts thermal energy inside an engine room into electric energy. Thepower converter 320 is configured to supply charging power to thesmall-sized charging battery 330 to allow the measurement sensor 120 tobe self-operated. The small-sized charging battery 330 is operated byreceiving self-charged power without using other power source in thevehicle. Therefore, the measurement sensor 120 may be freely disposedindependent from the vehicle controller 130 and a power source of thevehicle.

FIG. 4 is a detailed configuration example of a measurement sensoraccording to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Anengine compartment has environments of a high temperature, a lowtemperature, and high vibration. Therefore, durability of a wirelesstransmission circuit, a charging battery, and the like tends todeteriorate. Therefore, to prevent durability deterioration, it isnecessary to dispose these components at a distance from the measurementsensor. Referring to FIG. 4, the wireless transmission circuit 121, thesmall-sized charging battery 330, and the power converter 320 areconnected to the measurement sensor body 310 through wires. That is,when a heat source is used, the small-sized charging battery 330, thewireless transmission circuit 121, and the power converter 320 aredisposed at positions suitable for operating temperature conditions. Inthe instant case, a length of each of the wires may be varied. Even whenvibration is used, the small-sized charging battery 330, the wirelesstransmission circuit 121, and the power converter 320 are disposed atpositions suitable for vibration conditions.

In the presence of humidity, the measurement sensor body 310 isconfigured in a waterproof structure. That is, the waterproof structuremay be achieved by performing waterproof treatment on an external plateof the measurement sensor body 310 for preventing a water leak.Furthermore, a vent hole 315 may be formed to discharging air, water, orthe like. Consequently, robustness against humidity may be secured.

The configuration shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 may be selectively appliedaccording to an environmental condition.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for describing a control process of communicationrestoration when a communication error occurs according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, when themeasurement sensor 120 of FIG. 1 transmits measured data (S510), thevehicle controller 130 receives the transmitted data (S520).

Thereafter, the vehicle controller 130 verifies whether the receiveddata is normal S530). The vehicle controller 130 verifies whether anerror occurs in the measurement sensor 120. This error may be resultingfrom hardware of the measurement sensor 120 or communicationdisturbance. When communication disturbance occurs, an abnormal packetmay be generated and data may be incorrectly modulated.

As the verification result in the operation S530, when an error isdetermined as occurring in the data, the vehicle controller 130 performsrepairing which is performed with respect to the measurement sensor 120in which the error occurs (S531) and verifies whether a data packet isnormal (S533). As the verification result in the operation S533, whenthe data packet is determined as being normal, the vehicle controller130 determines the error resulting from engine hardware and stores theerror as a failure code (S535). At the present point, a warning lamp ona cluster may be lit.

On the other hand, when the data packet is determined as being abnormalin the operation S533, the vehicle controller 130 determines theabnormality resulting from the measurement sensor 120 and stores theabnormality as a failure code (S537). Thereafter, the vehicle controller130 counts the number of times of repairing and proceeds to theoperation S530. At the present point, counting information on the numberof times of repairing is also stored in the memory 150 in FIG. 1.

Meanwhile, as the verification result in the operation S530, when theerror is determined as not occurring in the data, the vehicle controller130 verifies the number of times communication is disconnected (S540).As the verification result in the operation S540, when the number oftimes the communication is disconnected is determined as being within apredetermined reference value, the vehicle controller 130 turns off thewarning lamp (S550). On the other hand, when the number of times thecommunication is disconnected is determined as being out of thepredetermined reference value in the operation S540, the vehiclecontroller 130 attempts communication restoration and stores the presentattempt as a failure mode (S541).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing a control process of communicationrestoration when a communication error occurs according to variousexemplary embodiments of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6,when a starting key of a vehicle is turned on (S601), a warning lamp ona cluster is turned on (S602).

Thereafter, pairing between each of measurement sensors and a vehiclecontroller is performed (S603).

Since operations S610, S620, S630, S640, and S650 are respectivelysimilar to the operations S510, S520, S530, S540, and S550 shown in FIG.5, descriptions thereof will be omitted.

After operations S635, S637, and S650, engine control is performed(S670). After the operation S670 is performed, the operation S610 isperformed again.

Furthermore, the operations of the method or algorithm described inconnection with the exemplary embodiments included herein may beimplemented in a form of a program command which is executable throughvarious computer means and may be recorded in a computer-readablemedium. The computer-readable medium may include program (command)codes, data files, data structures, and the like in alone or acombination thereof.

The program (command) codes recorded in the computer-readable medium maybe specially designed and configured for the exemplary embodiment or maybe available to those skilled in the computer software. Examples of thecomputer-readable recording medium may include magnetic media such as ahard disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, and the like, optical mediasuch as a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatiledisc (DVD), a blu-ray disc, and the like, and semiconductor memorydevices, which are configured to store and execute program (command)codes, such as a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, and the like.

Here, examples of the program (command) codes include machine languagecodes generated by a compiler, as well as high-level language codeswhich are executable by a computer using an interpreter or the like. Theabove-described hardware devices may be configured to operate as one ormore software modules to perform an operation of the present invention,and vice versa.

In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, there is aneffect in that a wireless sensor network system may be constructed in anengine compartment, which may be used even under a harsh environmentalcondition, by removing a connector and/or a wire of a wireless sensor.

Furthermore, in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention, there is another effect in that an existing layout and anexisting control logic may be utilized by transferring a detected valueas a value which is received by an existing ECU.

Furthermore, in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention, there is yet another effect in that a complete wirelesssensor network may be constructed by attaching a charging battery, whichis self-powered, to the wireless sensor to remove a wire of the chargingbattery.

Moreover, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention,there is yet another effect in that extension of an engine wirelesscommunication technique may be facilitated through wireless monitoring.

Furthermore, in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention, there is yet another effect in that, since the wirelesssensor is used, a development environment may extend without restrictionof the number of pins of an ECU and/or the number of wires when aseparate sensor is added.

Additionally, in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention, there is yet another effect in that productivity may beimproved by removing connectors and/or wires to reduce production cost,construction and design costs, increase a design space of an enginecompartment, reduce a vehicle weight, increase fuel efficiency, andreduce the number of assembly processes.

For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appendedclaims, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “up”, “down”,“upper”, “lower”, “upwards”, “downwards”, “front”, “rear”, “back”,“inside”, “outside”, “inwardly”, “outwardly”, “internal”, “external”,“inner”, “outer”, “forwards”, and “backwards” are used to describefeatures of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions ofsuch features as displayed in the figures.

The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thepresent invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described toexplain certain principles of the present invention and their practicalapplication, to enable others skilled in the art to make and utilizevarious exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well asvarious alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that thescope of the present invention be defined by the Claims appended heretoand their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of controlling communicationrestoration, the method comprising: a transmitting operation oftransmitting, by one or more measurement sensors installed in an engineroom of a vehicle, measured data, wherein the engine room is underenvironments of running; a receiving operation of receiving, by avehicle controller connected to the one or more measurement sensors in awireless communication manner, the measured data; a checking operationof checking, by the vehicle controller, whether the measured data isabnormal; and a restoring control operation of controlling restorationof a wireless communication connection between one of the one or moremeasurement sensors in which a wireless communication error with thevehicle controller occurs and the vehicle controller according to thechecking result of whether the measured data is abnormal in order forthe wireless communication connection to be usable even under harshenvironment conditions in the engine room, wherein when the measureddata is normal, the checking operation includes checking, by the vehiclecontroller, a number of times of communication deviance, and when thenumber of times of communication deviance is not present, the restoringcontrol operation includes generating and storing, by the vehiclecontroller, a failure code of communication disturbance.
 2. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: before the transmitting operation, aself-charging operation of allowing the one or more measurement sensorsto be self-charged by receiving power from a self-charged battery. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein, when the number of times ofcommunication deviance is present, the restoring control operationfurther includes turning, by the vehicle controller, a warning lamp off.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the checking operation furtherincludes: when the measured data is abnormal, performing, by the vehiclecontroller, a repairing attempt with a corresponding measurement sensorin which the abnormality occurs among the one or more measurementsensors; and checking, by the vehicle controller, whether a data packetis abnormal according to the repairing attempt.
 5. The method of claim4, further comprising: when the data packet is abnormal, storing, by thevehicle controller, a failure code with respect to the correspondingmeasurement sensor.
 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising; whenthe data packet is abnormal, turning, by the vehicle controller, awarning lamp on.
 7. The method of claim 4, further comprising: when thedata packet is normal, storing, by the vehicle controller, a failurecode with respect to hardware related to an engine.
 8. The method ofclaim 4, further comprising: generating, by the vehicle controller,counting information on a number of times of the repairing attempt.
 9. Amethod of controlling communication restoration, the method comprising:a turning on operation of turning, by a vehicle controller, a warninglamp on upon starting; a pairing operation of pairing, by the vehiclecontroller, with one or more measurement sensors installed in an engineroom of a vehicle, wherein the engine room is under environments ofrunning; a transmitting operation of transmitting, by the one or moremeasurement sensors, measured data; a receiving operation of receiving,by the vehicle controller connected to the one or more measurementsensors, the measured data; a checking operation of checking, by thevehicle controller, whether the measured data is abnormal; and arestoring control operation of controlling restoration of a wirelesscommunication connection between one of the one or more measurementsensors in which a wireless communication error with the vehiclecontroller occurs and the vehicle controller according to the checkingresult of whether the measured data is abnormal in order for thewireless communication connection to be usable even under harshenvironment conditions in the engine room, wherein when the measureddata is normal, the checking operation includes checking, by the vehiclecontroller, a number of times of communication deviance, and when thenumber of times of communication deviance is not present, the restoringcontrol operation includes generating and storing, by the vehiclecontroller, a failure code of the communication disturbance.